It’s almost the start of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival and the Weekend Watch team have firmly set their sites on the ‘Greatest Show On Turf’ which takes place between Tuesday 12th March and Friday 15th March.
In the first of four Weekend Watch videos based on the Cheltenham Festival, Kate Tracey, Andrew Mount and Dave Young have taken a look at Day 1 of the meeting and picked their best bets for Tuesday’s racing.
You can back any of the team’s selections with BetMGM who are offering new customers £60 in free bets when you deposit and bet £10.
1:30 Cheltenham – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
Dave: “If Ballyburn does run in the Supreme then I see no way the horse gets beat, so I wouldn’t be able to pick from anything in behind him.”
Andrew: “I’d be looking to take on the likes of Firefox, Tullyhill, Jeriko Du Reponet with Favour And Fortune for Alan King. He’s a keen sort who needs a big field and a strong pace ideally and he hasn’t had it over hurdles. He could sneak into the frame at a big price.”
Kate: “I don’t think this is a very good Supreme especially if Ballyburn doesn’t run and Firefox has been relatively forgotten about in the betting.”
2:10 Cheltenham – Arkle Challenge Trophy
Andrew: “I’m looking at JPR One for the Tizzards, who has done extremely well over fences. He’s unlucky to not be unbeaten and he looks rock-solid.”
Dave: “Matata has put in a couple of 150 runs – including a half-a-length second to JPR One and Matata at 20/1 is a massive price rick!”
2:50 Cheltenham – Ultima Handicap Chase
Dave: “The form of some of Victtorino‘s race is really good and I just hope he lines up here.”
Andrew: “At bigger prices, our old friend Cloudy Glen has had six runs after he’s been rested for ten weeks or longer and those runs have produced three wins and three placed efforts, so I could see him get a place.”
3:30 Cheltenham – Champion Hurdle
Andrew: “The one I want to be with is Echoes In Rain for Willie Mullins. She’s run well at the last few Cheltenham Festivals and her best form is off a strong pace over two miles.
4:10 Cheltenham – Mares’ Hurdle
Dave: “There’s probably two I’d like to play in this race and it’s Marie’s Rock, who has won the race before and Telmesomethinggirl.”
Andrew: “I will certainly take on Lossiemouth and Ashroe Diamond has a fantastic chance and in mares company she has five wins from six.”
4:50 Cheltenham – Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
Andrew: “I love this race. You are looking for disguised ability and the one I was looking at was Ose Partir for Martin Brassil.”
Dave: “It’s a bit of a minefield and one I’ve mentioned before is Kourosh for Dan Skelton. Eagle Fang is another one and the third on my shortlist is Nara.”
5:30 Cheltenham – National Hunt Chase
Dave: “If you forced me to have a selection, it would be Corbetts Cross, but I’m lukewarm on the race.”
Andrew: “Kilbeg King is the semi interesting one, who is a consistent sort.”
Don’t forget to check out occasional Weekend Watch pundit, Matty Sutcliffe’s selections for the 2024 Cheltenham Festival as well as Dave Young’s weekly Cheltenham ante-post picks.
Dave Young’s Cheltenham Ante-Post Book
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